Paris Baguette expands Essex County footprint (slideshow)

Listen to this article

Bakery café chain Paris Baguette is adding a second restaurant in Essex County.

Under a newly signed development agreement, Mohammed Jaloudi will open a location in Montclair, bringing the fast casual chain’s total statewide footprint to 29 restaurants, the company recently announced.

Known for its French-style sandwiches and freshly baked bread, pastries, dessert and coffee, the brand has grown to 4,000 units worldwide – including more than 150 restaurants in the U.S. – since its founding four decades ago in South Korea.

Within New Jersey, its locations include North Brunswick, Red Bank, Fort Lee, Hackensack, Livingston, Northvale, Edison, Palisades Park, Bound Brook, Montvale, Montgomery, Ridgewood and Ridgefield, as well as future spots planned for Paramus and West New York, according to the company’s website.

Bill Zuccarello, vice president of construction, said in a statement, “We are thrilled to announce additional expansion within New Jersey. There’s a tremendous amount of opportunity in the bakery café space. No other bakery café franchisors are doing what Paris Baguette is on the same scale.”

Jaloudi said he believes the chain is a good franchise opportunity “because of its amazing product line, store design and proven response from communities throughout the United States.”

Paris Baguette did not specify when the café would open.

With a goal of hitting 1,000 locations in the U.S. by 2030, Paris Baguette is targeting new markets, such as Arizona, Florida, North Carolina and Texas, as well as boosting its presence in existing ones, such as New Jersey and New York.

The company – which has its U.S. headquarters in Moonachie – said it is on track to meet its goal of entering 45 new markets and opening 64 units by the end of 2023.

TJ Rogers, franchise sales manager, commented, “Even throughout the pandemic and its aftershocks, we did not shy away from opening additional units and exploring new markets. With great year-over-year revenue increases and a persistent interest in the brand from franchisees and consumers alike, we expect nothing but a strong continued growth trajectory for the brand.”